Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 03.11.1997 CC-W&RI'TrIT IT LW57rrrAin1 ! GOVERNING ! 1 OF THE CITY OF !' ! ,SSSS The City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met in Regular Session on the above date with Mayor Leo Wood presiding. Council Present: George Arroyos Lee Bain Charles "Hoss" Burson Shelley Pierre Davis Susan Hoyt Ferd Tonn Staff Present: Bob Hart, City Manager Sheree Rabe, Asst.. City Attorney Sandra D. Lee, City Secretary Ed Barry, Dir.of Development Services. Hartley Sappington, Dir. of Community Svcs Susan Morgan, Dir. of Finance & Admin. Bill Shanklin, Fire Chief Council Absent: Dick Vincent Murray Blackman, Asst. to City Mgr. Hildy Kingma, Chief Planner Wendy Walsh, Development Planner Terry Jones, Purchasing Agent Kevin Stofle, Police Lieutenant Tom Leggitt, Fire Marshal Policy Development/Review Workshop - Call to order at 5:00 p.m. A Issue presentation and governance discussion on downtown parking (Chamber of Commerce, Historic Preservation Committee, County, DGA, and Merchants are invited to attend) -- Hartley Sappington and Bob Hart Wood welcomed the attendance of members of the above -listed organizations. Hart explained that in accordance with governance policies, the issue tonight would be to review and share background information. Sappington used overheads to outline the history of the parking issue on the square, and gave an inventory of the current parking use on and around the square, including possible sites for future parking areas. Wood read a letter from Esther Weir who expressed her desire to have a solution to the need for parking spaces downtown. Wood acknowledged three members of the Historic Preservation Commission, in the audience, and asked Hart to share his suggestions to the group. City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11, 1997 Page 1 of 12 Pages Hart told the group that the City is willing to receive input from any and all groups. He suggested hiring a consultant who could facilitate the large groups and present the solutions for "buy -in" by the participants. Wood asked Bill Harris, Chair of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), to give his Commission's suggestions. Harris spoke to the group about the past activities/suggestions of HPC concerning parking on the square. He mentioned the possibility of constructing a $1 million parking garage for 99 cars; extra lighting for the City parking lot at 9th and Rock Streets; and a County parking lot between 6th and 7th and Forest and MLK (three blocks from the square) needing to be lighted for security. A suggestion was made to use the "Dillo" bus to provide transportation to the people using the parking lots off the square. Hart was asked and responded that City employees have been instructed not to park on the square. Debra Hunt, County Tax Assessor/Collector, told the group that the policy in her office is to park "off the square." Bain pointed out that there were numerous businesses on the square whose employees park in front of their offices, and are not interested in doing otherwise. It waspointed out that the parking lots are not well known to tourists. Wood introduced Paul Jordan, President of the Chamber of Commerce, who gave the results of a questionnaire sent to Chamber members as to whether they would support spending $25,000 to hire a consultant, saying that 2/3 of the members said they would. He read a resolution of the Chamber Board expressing their desire to find a solution to the parking problem and to be of assistance. Wood called upon Joe Savage, President of Downtown Georgetown Association. Savage said a financial gamble had already been spent to revitalize the downtown area to bring tourists --now that the tourists are coming --he suggested taking another financial gamble to hire a professional to assist on the problem. Wood suggested that HPC be the administrators of the issue, with Sappington as a City staff representative, suggesting that they be the group to go forward to all entities involved and vocalize the general opinion of the group. As a short-term solution it was decided to approach the County Commissioners Court to instruct the employees at the courthouse to agree to park off the square. John Hoyt asked for enforcement to keep the local employees from staying too long in the parking places on the downtown square. Marvin Waley said the expense of a consultant would be worth it to protect the investment of millions that was made in revitalizing the downtown area. Paul Polanek asked for an assurance that the consultant money would be well spent. A representative from the Del Webb Corporation spoke of how important the downtown square is to the future as well as existing residents of Sun City. City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11, 1997 Page 2 of 12 Pages Wood suggested that the City would begin gathering information to be shared with a consultant. It was also suggested that the prior surveys and studies be made available at the Library for citizens to view. Wood asked that an action item be placed on the next Council. Agenda to hire the consultant. B Answer questions on Statutory Consent Agenda Items listed specifically below under the Regular Session that will begin no sooner than 7:00 p.m. (For questions only, no action to be taken until Regular Session) Due to time constraint, this item was not handled. Regular Session - called to order at 6A5 p.m to convene Executive Session Executive Session C Sec.551.071 consultation with attorney D Sec. 551.072 deliberation on real property E Sec.551.075 conference with employee Regular Session - resumed at 7:15 p.m. F Mayor, Council, City Manager, and staff comments and reports There were no comments. G Citizens wishing to address the Council Gerry Anderson, Route 3, Box 916, asked Council to take care of the 1928 Seagraves Fire Engine that has been left out in the weather and needs to be restored. He suggested that it could be used as a parade vehicle in the future. H Action on Executive Session Items No action was taken on Executive Session Items. Statutory Consent Agenda I Consideration of approving the minutes for the regular meeting of Tuesday, February 25, 1997 -- Sandra Lee J Consideration of approval of a resolution appointing election officials for the General Election on May 3, 1997 -- Sandra Lee City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11, 1997 Page 3 of 12 Pages K Authorization for the Mayor to execute agreements for professional grant management services with the Institute for Finance and Economic Development on behalf of Alu- Cut International, Inc., Schunk Quartz, Inc., and Xycarb Ceramics USA, Inc. L Consideration of approval of a resolution to authorize signatories for the distribution of grant funds from the Texas Community Development Program on behalf of Alu-Cut International, Inc. , Schunk Quartz, Inc. , and Xycarb Ceramics USA, Inc. M Consideration of approval to sell scrap metal to Commercial Metals and scrap aluminum to Austin Metal and Iron Company -- Terry Jones and Susan Morgan N Consideration of an award of bid for dual voltage transformers to South Way Electric Utility Service in the estimated amount of $46,636.00 -- Terry Jones and Jim Briggs O Consideration of an award of the semi-annual bid for computer and copier paper to various bidders in the estimated amount of $7,510.33 -- Terry Jones and Susan Morgan P Consideration of approval to purchase a tractor and triple gang mower from the Houston Galveston Area Council in the amount of $54,987.26 -- Terry Jones and Susan Morgan Q Consideration of an award of the semi-annual bid for janitorial supplies to various bidders in the estimated amount of $11,935.96 -- Terry Jones and Susan Morgan R Consideration of approval of an interlocal agreement between the City of Georgetown, the City of Round Rock, and Williamson County for the operation of the 800 MHZ radio communication system -- Terry Jones and Susan Morgan Bain questioned whether the City would always have sufficient capacity on the system. Jones and Rabe assured Bain that the agreement would contain adequate language to ensure adequate capacity for the City of Georgetown. S Consideration of approval of a resolution adopting travel policies for continuing education for the Mayor and members of the City Council -- Bob Hart Motion by Tann, second by Hoyt to approve the Consent Agenda in its entirety. Approved 6-0. (Vincent absent) Legislative Regular Agenda Wood asked that Item W be taken next on the agenda. He explained that the developer, Bob Wunch, had requested that this item be deferred to a future meeting, saying that he wished to have time to meet with the neighborhood before the decision is made by the Council. City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11. 1997 Page 4 of 12 Pages W Consideration of a collector street network for the Reserve at Berry Creek, an approved Concept Plan consisting of a 182 acre tract in the William Roberts Survey, located at the ends of Champions Drive and Luna Trail -- Hildy Kingma and Ed Barry Mary Pepper, 361 Logan Ranch Road, said that Wunch did have several meetings, but the majority of the people were in favor of small collector streets, rather than one large direct route. Ms. Pepper asked for 30 days to give more people a chance to get together. An engineer speaking for Wunch, said that a group of people were notified, representative of the people that had attended the previous Council Meeting. He asked that time be allowed to include another meeting. He said that everyone within 200 feet of the property had been notified. Motion by Torn, second by Bain to defer the item to the first meeting in April. Approved 6-0. T Second Reading of an ordinance rezoning Riveroaks Subdivision, Section Two, Lots 6 and 7, to be known as Tractor Supply company, from C-1, Local Commercial, to C -2A, Commercial First Height, or any more restrictive district, located on South IH -35 -- Hildy Kingma and Ed Barry Kingma read the caption, and noted that the requested changes had been made to the ordinance. Motion by Bain, second by Davis to approve Ordinance 97-13. Approved 6-0. U First Reading of an ordinance providing for the annexation into the City of approximately 128 acres in the David Wright Survey, locally known as Serenada East Subdivision - Units 1, 4, 5, portions of Units 2 and 3 and surrounding areas -- Clyde von Rosenberg and Ed Barry von Rosenberg read the caption only on first reading after satisfying the requirements of the City Charter. Tony Corbett, an attorney with Hutcheson and Grundy, spoke on behalf of a number of residents in Serenada East. He questioned the authority of the City to charge fees for connection to the City sewer line. Rabe informed Corbett that the City has an impact fee ordinance as well as the State statute which allows the City to charge a connection fee. Corbett challenged Rabe, and was told that the City is within its full legal right. Ginny Sutton said she had contacted State Senator Jeff Wentworth who will work with the residents and take this issue to the Attorney General for his opinion. Wood asked and was told by Rabe that the service plan could be considered as a separate item from the annexation ordinance. City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11, 1997 Page 5 of 12 Pages Bain said the time element should not be a problem due to the length of time that will occur before the need to connect with the sewer line. Therefore, the annexation ordinance could go forward. David Burdick told Council that the impact fees were designed for new development. He claimed that the State statute is very vague and informed Council that he thought the Attorney General's opinion would be needed. Motion by Hoyt, second by Bain to approve the ordinance on first reading. Approved 6-0. V First Reading of an ordinance amending the City's Single -Member District Plan to include properties that have been annexed since the May 4, 1996 General Election, and proposed to be annexed prior to the May 3, 1997 General Election -- Marianne Banks Hart explained that this amendment to the Plan would add Berry Creek and Serenada East and would make adjustments for the boundary changes. He explained that the populations of the districts are still within the parameters required by the Justice Department in 1991. He said these changes would allow both of the newly annexed areas to vote in the General Election in May, 1997. Wood pointed out that it would also allow those citizens to run for office for the position of Councilmember for District 5. Tonn asked if the lines could be drawn in a more direct and straight manner. Hart explained that the 10% tolerance range that was necessary would not allow for "squaring up" the boundaries, saying that a higher population is needed to allow a higher percentage. Terri Glasby, Legal Assistant, explained the process of redrawing the lines using the 1990 census figures. She said 213 people were moved into District 5 from Berry Creek and 532 from Serenada East, creating the need to move some people from District 5 to District 4, and from District 5 to District 6, and from District 6 to District 7, and making a boundary shift from District 2 to District 6. Arroyos mentioned that he and Councilmember Davis had been members of the redistricting committee when the lines were first drawn, and that minority population had to be taken into consideration. Hart said the Justice Department has not put out criteria on what they will or will not approve. He said the Justice Department is not compelled to follow case law. It was pointed out that the submittal was sent in within the 60 -day timeframe. Glasby read the caption of the ordinance. Motion by Arroyos, second by Davis to approve the ordinance on first reading. Approved 6-0. City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11, 1997 Page 6 of 12 Pages Wood encouraged City staff to get information publicized about the eligibility to vote for those citizens in the soon-to-be annexed areas. Arroyos clarified that the Justice Department generally contacts minority members of the community to see whether or not they have been adversely affected by the changes, and if that is not the cae, the Justice Department moves forward with approval. Charlie Barton announced that he had picked up a candidate packet and intended to file for the Councilmember position in District 5. He questioned why it was so undetermined as to whether Berry Creek citizens would be qualified for the upcoming election. Hart responded that the submission to the Justice Department is done every year, prior to the election; that there is no reason that the Justice Department would consider it invalid, but the procedure must be followed every year. He said that generally, the reason for invalidation is due to the populations numbers in the districts not being comparable. W (Handled at the beginning of the Regular Agenda) X Consideration of approval of a resolution supporting the change of the remaining two-way frontage road sections in Georgetown to one-way -- Clyde von Rosenberg and Ed Barry von Rosenberg explained the proposed changes as requested by the Texas Department of Transportation, saying this construction would occur in the Fall of 1997 at the same time as the widening of the interstate, along with the reversing of the on/off ramps. He noted that an agreement has been made with the School District and the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDQT) to provide alternate access to McCoy School. He showed an overhead pointing out the proposed street to be connected to Park Lane, and stated that the City has also agreed to build sidewalks, as well as an additional street extension to connect with Northwest Boulevard to relieve traffic on Williams Drive. He said there would also be new signs and lighting to point out the direction to the business districts. von Rosenberg read the resolution. Steve Doering, 30412 La Quinta, asked for explanation of the special considerations on the agenda item cover sheet, saying that he interpreted that the traffic would be re-routed through residential areas. He also asked about the estimated cost of $300,000 and the estimated timeframe. He asked for and received reassurance that emergency vehicles would not be impaired. He said he couldn't understand how the proposed new streets would benefit the existing businesses. He said he would like to see wording in the resolution that says the re-routing would occur in conjunction with the highway construction. He also said he has not seen proof that the accidents that occurred were due to the two-way movement of traffic on the frontage road. City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11, 1997 Page 7 of 12 Pages Russ Smith, P. O. Box 3000-246, told Council he has been asking the same questions since December 6, but can't get the answers. He claimed that some 200 jobs would be lost if the changes are made in the highway from Williams Drive to Lakeway. He asked that the ramp changes be addressed in the resolution. Carl Doering, 705 Country Club Road, asked several more questions about the cover sheet for this item. He asked that the frontage road remain two-way until TxDOT puts in a frontage road on the east side of I35 between Williams Drive and Lakeway. Bain asked if it were possible to "flip" the ramps, but still maintain the two-way movement on the frontage roads. Hart said that TxDOT standards for urban vs. rural design call for the ramps to be flipped, otherwise the direction and the ramps will be left as they are. He said the widening of Interstate 35 will go forward regardless. Hart said if the ramps aren't flipped, there won't be any reason to extend Northwest Boulevard. Hart also said the ramps and frontage road direction being changed is important to Power Computing. Bain acknowledged the depth of the decision being made and its effect on the entire transportation policy for the City, especially the northwest quadrant. Hart suggested that a Section 4 be added to the resolution, stating: "Further, that the flipping of the ramps, the conversion of the frontage road to one-way, the timing of the Northwest Boulevard extension, and the project outlined in Section 3 above is timed to occur at approximately the same time." Hart was instructed to meet with TxDOT about formulating a strategy for future frontage roads. Motion by Tonn, second by Bain to approve the resolution including the addition of the Section 4 language provided by Hart. Approved 6-0. Y Consideration of a Detailed Development Plan of a 96 -acre tract in the Frances A. Hudson Survey, to be known as Windmill Hill, and variances to the Subdivision Regulations, located at 61455 Westinghouse Road -- Hildy Kingma and Ed Barry Kingma explained that this DDP was for a manufactured home park with driveways and gated entrance. She noted that a variance was being asked that is approved by staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission. She noted that the applicant is requesting not to build the sidewalks. She also noted that if this detailed development plan is approved, the construction plans cannot be approved until after the study on utility capacity is complete. She added that construction plan approval is an administrative process. Barry explained that because this project was "in the pipeline" the DDP could be handled, but construction plans would not be able to proceed until adequate wastewater capacity is City Council Meeting Minutes/March l I, 1997 Page 8 of 12 Pages secured, pointing out that the project would come under the purview of the County Health District and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. Terry Irion, an attorney representing the applicant, asked for approval tonight of the detailed development plan. He distributed copies of a letter from Steven Seeburg regarding the sidewalk issue, saying they would propose using the streets for pedestrian travel and not allow vehicle parking in front of the homes. He said the plan works very well and offered to have the site engineer answer questions. Susan Heil, 504 Clearview, said she does not want the mobile home park in her subdivision. Scott Means, 100 Cloverdale Lane, showed Council the brochure that was distributed to the area residents by the developer, saying that the brochure showed amenities such as a golf course and swimming pool that he doesn't think are planned for the Windmill Hill development. He reminded Council that the owner of the property had not been interested in contributing toward the utility capacity study. He asked the Council to act in the best interest of the community. Gerry Anderson, Route 3, Box 916, told Council that an out-of-state developer should not be allowed to put in a subdivision without sidewalks and then move back out of state. Margaret Green, 2550 FM 1460, said she and her husband do not object to the development of the land, but to the density. She said she doesn't object to manufactured housing but to the proposed density. Margaret Nash, a nearby property owner, said all housing should be subject to the same rules. She also gave Council her opinion that the one-way frontage road system in that area will force more traffic on County Road 116. Greg Hall said, according to his figures, the actual density will be 6 1/2 homes per acre, one or two cars per family, lots of children in the "starter" homes and no sidewalks. He asked that the Council not waive the sidewalk requirements. He pointed out that Round Rock uses the same standards for mobile homes as for other homes. Terry Irion reminded Council that the Concept Plan was approved last summer for 750+ units. He claimed that he has received written approval of adequate utility capacity. Wood asked Motheral, in the audience, if it was not true that he had turned down the opportunity to participate in the utility capacity study. Motheral said that was the way it was reported in the newspaper and in the resolution, but he would deal with that issue at a later date. Hart reiterated that Motheral had been very clear in not wanting to participate. City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11, 1997 Page 9 of 12 Pages When questioned by Bain, Barry explained that the Concept Plan, if approved, is the first step in platting, and that failure to proceed with platting negates the concept plan. Burson asked and was told that the Planning and Zoning Commission had approved this item. Ms. Green told Council that the only issue Planning and Zoning was allowed to address was the number of entrances into the development. Davis said he doesn't feel comfortable with the density. Hart explained that staff recommendation is that the project meets the ordinance requirements. Rabe explained that, because the project is within the ETJ, Council does not have as much authority as they would if it were inside the City limits. Irion told Council that he has a letter from August, 1995, to the prior applicant for a project that was even more dense, saying that project was consistent and met the requirements. He said that because the project is within the City's certificated service area, the City is required to supply water to the project. He said there is not a subdivision requirement for this type of development and the applicant was advised by staff not to subdivide. He added that they have complied with every requirement presented, and will work with the staff on the wastewater issue. Hart advised Council that they could go into Executive Session and discuss legal not policy issues with Attorney Rabe. Hoyt left the dias to counsel with Rabe. An unidentified woman in the audience asked if the City would install signal lights on Westinghouse Road. It was determined that because the intersection in question was not within the City Limits, the City would not have authority to install signal lights there. ZD 10:12 p.m. - recessed for Executive Session 10:40 p.m. - resumed Open Session Motion by Bain, second by Davis to defer the item until April 8 to give staff a chance to look at the legal issues that were discussed in Executive Session. Approved 5-0. (Arroyos absent) Z Consideration of a Detailed Development Plan of South San Gabriel Urban Renewal, Block H. Lots 1 and 2, with variances to the Subdivision Regulations, located at 900 West Street, also known as David's Collision Repair -- Hildy Kingma and Ed Barry Kingma explained that this item was for expansion of the existing body shop including expansion onto the adjacent lot, involving the storage of vehicles in buildings on the second lot. She pointed out that the driveway along West Street needs to be reduced to 30 feet per the standard. She said the staff and Planning and Zoning Commission recommended removal of the building at West and 10th Streets, with other encroachments in the setbacks allowed to remain. She noted that the applicant has agreed to install 8 -foot City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11, 1997 Page 10 of 12 Pages fences of wrought iron on two sides and to reduce to 6 feet the solid fence on the west side. Davis asked and was told that the residents within 200 feet had been notified, but no responses were received. Hoyt questioned whether the applicant had spoken with the surrounding residents. He said he had spoken with several nearby residents and had received no objections. David Volter, Architect, spoke on behalf of Larry David, the applicant, regarding the exception to impervious cover granted by Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission. He said that all but &% of the building coverage has been there for many years. He said that David would like to leave the building at West and 10th Streets for another five years in order to rent it out and allow him to recoup some funds. Motion by Davis, second by Hoyt to approve the DDP with variances and allow the one existing building to remain for five years. Approved 4-0. (Bain abstained, Arroyos and Vincent absent) AA Second Reading of an ordinance authorizing the issuance of the City of Georgetown, Texas Combination Tax and Utility System Limited Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 1997 in an amount note to exceed $5,195,000 -- Susan Morgan and Bob Hart Wood called for Carl Doering who had signed up to speak on this item. He was not found. Morgan read the caption of the ordinance and introduced Gary Kimble to explain the pricing of the bonds. Kimble distributed a summary of the transactions to Council, saying that the bonds would produce $4 million and $5.2 million. He said the refunding is at $145,000 savings after all costs, and issuance costs were improved by about $25,000. Motion by Tonn, second by Hoyt to approve Ordinance 97-14. Approved 5-0. BB Second Reading of an ordinance authorizing the issuance of the City of Georgetown, Texas Utility System Revenue Bonds, Series 1997 in an amount not to exceed $6,950,000 -- Susan Morgan and Bob Hart Morgan read the caption. Motion by Davis, second by Tonn to approve Ordinance 97-15. Approved 5-0. CC Second Reading of an ordinance adjusting water conservation rates for residential customers for billing periods between June and September -- Susan Morgan and Bob Hart Morgan read the caption. Motion by Hoyt, second by Burson to approve Ordinance 97-16 Approved 5-0. Cityr Council Meeting Mimites/March 11, 1997 Page 11 of 12 Pages DD Second Reading of an ordinance deleting Chapter 8.24 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown relating to abandoned vehicles and property -- Bill Shanklin Shanklin told Council that there were 30 abandoned vehicles ready to be removed from the City streets, and read the caption. Motion by Torn, second by Bain to approve Ordinance 97-17. Approved 5-0. It was noted that Shanklin will be leaving Georgetown to become the Fire Chief in Richardson, Texas. Council expressed their sorrow that he would be leaving and wished him well. EE Evaluation of meeting process Wood noted that he had received a fax from the Corridor Council asking for a contribution of $5,000 to join a coalition. Hart advised that they were asking for help to pay for a summit in Mexico to increase the use of the NAFTA Highway. Council did not appear interested in complying with the request. Wood reminded Council that Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison would be in Georgetown on Friday, March 21 to promote her campaign. Bain said he thinks it would be a good idea to have a ribbon cutting on the new Highway 29 bridge after the lights are installed. Bain noted the recent round table discussion regarding electric deregulation at the recent National League of Cities Conference in Washington, D.C. He commended Rabe's presentation to the group and said she represented the City very well. Bain asked for an opportunity to report on the conference at a future Council workshop. Hoyt asked that the Council Agenda be posted on Cablevision, and would like to have the City of Georgetown Mission Statement hung on the wall in the Council Chamber. The meeting was adjourned at 11:23 p.m. Approved: Leo Wood, Mayor City Council Meeting Minutes/March 11, 1997 Page 12 of 12 Pages Attest: Sandra D. Lee, City Secretary